Family Partnership

“The evidence is consistent, positive and convincing: families have a major influence on children’s achievement. When schools, families and community groups work together to support learning, children tend to do better at school, stay in school longer and like school more”

Henderson, A. and Mapp, K. (2002), ‘A New Wave of Evidence: the impact of school, family and community connects on student achievement’.

What is Family Partnership?

Family Partnership is a service set up by Heathermount School to further improve links to the families of children with autism who attend the school. It’s purpose is to act as a facility that enables parents to find information about a wide range of subjects or issues, both big and small; and help them with those first steps - taking action to get what they need or address an issue that has arisen.

We aim to share knowledge and experiences to increase confidence of both families and staff in supporting students with Autism at home and school. We are partners in the truest sense – strength in unity and knowledge.

Who is Family Partnership?

Family Partnership is led by the Headteacher of the school and supported by Julie Swann. Julie has worked at Heathermount School for over 6 years supporting students in class. She is also a parent of an autistic person that has experienced both mainstream and specialist settings. Julie has also previously been a volunteer for a local autism support group, worked on the Education Advocacy Helpline for the National Autistic Society and is a parent governor at the school.

Areas that Julie can assist on include:

DLA/PIP

Other financial support

Transport issues

Behaviour

Puberty/Sex

Sleep patterns

Anxiety

Isolation/Social

Transitions -Types of Transitions:

Internal – New class, new teacher, new subject

Thinking about the future – Year 9 and upwards

Post 16/Post 19 – Moving on - What are the options?

Apprenticeships

Colleges/Further Education

Funding/S139

Employment/Work Experience

Local support Links -

Voluntary/Charitable organisations

Speakers/Training

Parents forum

If you need to contact Julie, please do not hesitate in emailing her on: Julie.Swann@heathermount.co.uk. Alternatively, please call Julie at the school on 01344 875 101.